Brick-drier.



No. 693,359. Patentgd-Feb. I8, I902.

.l. W; ABEGOQD.

smcx DRIER.

(Applicltion fllod Sept. '8, 1901.).

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(No Model.)

N0. 693,359. Patented FBIL' l8, I902.

.1. W.'AREGO0D.

' BRICK DRIER.

(Application'fil ed Sept. 8;"1901.) (No Model.) GSheah-Sheet 3 No. 693,359. Pat ented Feb. l8, I902.

- .1. W. AREGO0D.

BRICK DRIER.

(Application 111 Sept. :3, 1901. (No Model.)

6'$heats-Sheet 4.

No. 693,359. P'atuntad Fab. I8, I902.

. J. 'W. ABEGOOD.

BRICK DRIER.

(Application filed Sept. 3, 1901.)

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"0 693,359, Patented m. I8, m2.

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BRICK DRIER.

(Application filed Sept. 8, 1901.)

(Ilo llodoll) 6 Sheets-Sheet 6.

I I II] lililil I UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

JOHN W. AREGOOD,VOF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF oNnIIALF TO PATRICK J. SEXTON, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BRICK-DRIER.

srnorrxcntrron forming part of Letters Patent No. 693,359, datedli ebruary Is, 1902 Application filed September 3. 1901. Serial No. 74,182. I (No model.)

T 00% whom it may concern: I 7

Be it known that I, J oHnW. AREGooD,;a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Brick-Driers; and I declare the following to bea full,'clear, and exact description of t he invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, which specification.

My invention relates in general to apparatus employed in brick-making, and more particularly to apparatus in which the moisture is evaporated fromgreen-bricks preparatory to baking them in the kilns,-such apparatus being commonly known as a drier.

In the use of brick-driers the green bricks deliveredfrom the molds are piled upon oars which are run on tracks into the drier. It is desirable that the temperature should be uni-v form throughout the drier in order that the bricks in all parts thereof may be subjected to the same degreeof temperature, thereby gradually and evenly evaporating the moisture from the bricks in all portions of the drier at a minimum consumption of fuel.

- The object of my invention is to produce an apparatus of the class referred to in which the hot air delivered from the furnace to the drier is so distributed as to circulate through every part thereof, thereby subjecting the bricks uniformly to the desired degree of temperature and also more fully utilize the heat than heretofore possible.

A further object of my invention is to provide a drier in which a plurality of furnaces are so connected to a common flue leading to the drier that either one or more of the furnaces may be utilized to supply the necessary hot air and products of combustion.

My invention will be more fully described hereinafter by reference to the accompanying drawings, in Whichthe same is illustrated as embodied in a convenient and practical form, and in which Figure 1 is a viewin elevationof my invention; Fig. 2, a plan view showing the relative location of the furnaces and the drier; Fig. 3, a vertical sectional view taken on line 3 3 form a part of this ofFig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 4, a transverse section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3 lookingin the direction of the arrows; Fig.5, a vertical sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 2; Fig, 6, an eleva tional view of one furnace, the adjacent furnace being shown broken away; Fig. 7, a transverse vertical section on line 7 7 of Fig. 3'; Fig. 8, a frontelevation of part of the drier, showing the counterbalam-ed doors; and Fig.

9 a plan view of a modified arrangement of the furnaces. I I

Similar reference characters are used'to indicate similar parts inthe several fig'lli'eS of the drawings. Y

My invention embodied in the form illustrated consists, essentially, ina plurality of furnaces which are connected to-a flde, the

latter communicating with each of a number of tunnels within which oars loaded with green bricks are placed. The communication of the flue with the several tunnels is regulated by dampers, and the communication of each tunnel with the chimney is also regulated by a series of dampers, whereby the sup-.

Referring more in detail to the figu'resiof the drawings, reference-letterA indicatesjthe drier proper, which isdivided by partitions into a series of compartments or tunnels A, A A and A. Each of the tunnels is provided with a damper a, a o a, controlling thecomm nnication with a chimney D, which is located near the rear end of the drier and communicates with each of the tunnels therein. Doors B, B B and B close the rear ends of the tunnels and are shown as consisting in vertically-sliding doors having counterbalances b, b b and I), connected thereto by any suitable 1neans--as, for instance, by flexible cords passing overguide-pulleys located above the frames B, in which the doors are guided." The front ends of the tunnels are provided with doors 0, O O and G which may be of any suitable form, they,

for convenience, being shown as swinging upwardly about pivotal supports 0. Each of the doors is provided with a pair of extensions c, at the upper ends of which are located weights 0', c c and 0, whereby the weight of each door is counterbalanced. A flue E, of any desired construction, communicates with each of the tunnels near its forward end, such flue in the present instance being shown as rectangular in cross-section and located above the tunnels with which it communicates through openings controlled by suitable dampers E. These dampers are preferably rotatable and are provided with rods e, extending to the front of the tunnels, where they may be conveniently operated to rotate the dampers to their open or closed positions. The flue E is supported above the tunnels by walls, which form passageways E interposed between each tunnel and the flue E, in each of which is rotatably mounted a damper E. By this arrangement the dampers may extend practically the entire width of the passages E and when opened do not project either within the flue E, and thereby impede the passage therethrough of hot air, nor do they extend into the tunnels, where they would be liable to injury from contact with the loaded cars.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated an arrangement of furnaces, in which one furnace K is adapted to burn coal, while the other L is provided with oil-burners L, which communicate with a supply of oil. The furnace L is provided with a bridge L located in front of the oil- I burners, and also with a bridge L through which a number of openings Z are formed. The openings L and L supply the air to the furnace. A fine K extends between the furnaces K and L and serves as the only means of communication between the coal-furnace K and the flue E. A fan M is located on the outside of the furnace L, being supported in any suitable manner, preferably, however, by means of a shaft m, having bearings m and m mounted upon brick columns, as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. By locating both of the bearings of the shaft m outside of the furnace the injury thereto is avoided which would result from locating one of them on the side of the fan next to the furnace. Power is applied to the shaft on and through it to the fan M by any suitable means-as, for instance, by a pulley M around which a power-belt may pass, such belt being propelled by a steam-engine or other motor. A hood or cover M surrounds the fan M and communicates with the end of the flue E. An opening L is provided through the end wall of the furnace L opposite to the fan, through which the hot air and products of combustion are drawn by the fan and delivered to the flue.

Each of the tunnels A, &c., is provided with a pair of tracks G, &c., upon which cars H are run, such cars having been previously loaded with green bricks. Each of the tunnels A, &c., is provided with a passage-way F, 650., located between and below the tracks G, &c., thereby permitting the free circulation of the hot air under the cars H.

In Fig. 9 I have illustrated a modified arrangement of the furnaces, in which K indicates a coal furnace which communicates through flues K with supplemental furnaces, preferably for consuming oil,each ofsuch supplemental furnaces being-constructed substantially as illustrated in Fig. 5 and each communicating with a flue E through a fan or blower located in a casing M. By this arrangement two separate au d disconnected driers may be simultaneously supplied with hot air from a series of furnaces located at a given point. The coal-furnace K may, if desired, be provided with a longitudinal partition 70, so as to form two parts thereof, as indicated in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 9 I have shown a modified arrangement of the furnaces, in which a single flue E is supplied with hot air and products of combustion from two furnaces-K adapted toburn coal and L for burning oil.

It has been found in practice that the tunnels farthest away from the furnaces receive the greatest quantity of hot air when the openings from the flue E to the several tunnels are the same in area. Consequently in order that each of the tunnels may receive the same quantity of hot air the dampers E should be so adjusted that the opening from the flue E to the tunnel farthest from the furnaces is less than the openings between the flue and the other tunnels, the size of such openings gradually increasing toward the furnaces. In order that the draft through the chimney may be equally divided between the various tunnels, the dampers a, a Cl/ and a should be so adjusted that those regulating the communication between the chimney and the tunnels immediately below the same should be partially closed, while the dampers in the tunnels at each side of those in the center should be slightly more open, the degree of opening of the dampers increasing in the tunnels arranged on either side of the center.

The operation of my improved drier is as follows: The blower M draws the hot air and products of combustion through the opening L in the furnace L, such hot air and products of combustion being supplied either by the furnace L alone or by the furnace K alone, the latter communicating through the flue K with the furnace L and thence with the blower or by both furnaces simultaneously. The blower forces the hot air through the flue E and thence into the several tunnels A, A, A and A the quantity supplied to each tunnel being practically the same, owing to the dampers E having been so adjusted as to gradually diminish the size of the openings between the flue and the tunnels, commencing with the one nearest the furnaces. The hot air circulates around the IIO cars in the several tunnels and through. the supporting the flue'above the tunnels, rotary bricks piled on the cars, the circulation being rendered uniform by so adjusting the dampers ct, a a and a as .to regulate the communication between the several. tunnels andthe chimney,accordingto the position of each tunnel. with respect to the chimney. The

cars H are rolled upon. the tracks G, 850.,

through the doors 15', &c.,'inlo the several tunnels at the rear end of the drier. When the bricks have been dried sufficiently, the cars are rolled out-of the front ends of the tunnels by swinging the doors 0, &c., about' their pivotal supports 0. Whenever a caris' removed from a tunnel, the remaining cars are moved forward and a car'with afresh supply of bricksis inserted at the rear end,; whereby the cars may be progressively re-' moved from and inserted into the several. tunnels.

From the foregoing description it is evident that Ihave produced a drier in which one or morefurnaces may be utilized to supply. the necessaryhe'ai, such .heat being uniformly. distributed to the various tunnels in the drier regardless of the distance between each tunnel and the furnaces and regardless of the relative distances between'the various tunnels and the chimney.

gard to the number of'tunnels. comprised in such drier. It is also obviousthat my invention may be used for otherpurposes than that of drying bricks, and while I have shown and I described it as designedfor the purpose of drying bricks I do not wish to be limited thereto, as I contemplate using it for drying other articles than bricks.

While I have described more or less precisely the details of construction, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as I contemplate changes in form, the proportion of parts,and the substitution of equivalents as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having fully described my. invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a plurality of tunnels,of a flue extending transversely across the tops of said tunnels near one end thereof, passage-ways interposed between said tunnels and said fine the walls of said passage-ways It. should be noted. that by the arrangement of dampers between I dampers located entirely withinand controlling the passage-ways be'tweenthebottom of said flue andthe tops of each of said tunnels,

a chimney surmounting and communicating.

with said tnnnels near the ends-thereof oppo site said flue,and means forfsupplying hot air to said flue, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a pluralityof tunnels, ol' outwardly-swingingdoors clos ingthe front ends of. said tunnels a flue extending transversely across. thetops of'said tunnels near the front ends thereof,'passageways interposed betweemeach of saidtunnels and said fine the walls of said passageways supporting the flue above the tunnels,

rotary dampers located entirelywithin and controlling the passagesbetween the bottom of said flue and tops of each of said-tunnels, a chimney surmountingand communicating with said tunnels nearthe rear ends thereof, a damper-controlling the communication between the chimney and each tunnel, vertically-sliding doors 'closing'fthe rear: ends of J said tunnels, and meansfor supplying hot air to said flue, substantially asdescribed.

3. In an apparatus ofthe character described, the combination witha plura-lityof tunnels, of a flue.extending'transversely across the tops of said-tunnels, passage-ways interposed between oach'of said-tunnels and said flue the walls of said passageways-supporting the flue above the tunnels, rotary dampers horizontally located within said p'assage-ways and controlling the communication between said flue and each of 's'aid tunnels, a chimney-communicating with said tunnels near the ends-thereof=opposite-said flue, a damper controlling-the communication between the chimney and each .tunneh'and means for supplying hot air tosaid fiue,is;ub- 1 stantiallyas described. i i

1' 4. -Inan apparatus of the character described, the combination with a pluralityof IIO tunnels, of a flue communicating with said tunnels, a damper controlling the communication between the flue-and each tunnel, a

chimney communicating with the tunnels, a

furnace having a fire-box at one end and an opening through the other end communicatmg directly with said flue, a blowe'nlocated" in alinement with said flue and adjacentto' said opening and adapted to rotate in a'plane transverse to the furnace and longitudinal with respect to the flue, substantially as de-' l I scribed.

5. .In an apparatus of the character de-f scribed, the combination-with a plurality of tunnels, of doors closing the front and rear ends of each of said tunnels,"a"flue communi-' eating with said tunnels, a damper controlling the communication betweensaid-fii11e= and each of said tunnels, a chimney communicating with said tunnels a damper control-1 ling the communicationbetween" said chimney andeach of said tunnels, tracks extending through each tunnel, passage-ways located below and between the tracks in each tunnel, a furnace having a fire-box at one end and an opening through the other end communicating directly with said flue, and a blower located adjacent to said opening and in alinement with said flue said blower adapted to rot-ate in a plane transverse to the furnace and longitudinal with respect to the flue, substantially as described.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a plurality of tunnels, of outwardly-swinging doors closing the front ends of said tunnels, a flue extending transversely across the tops of said tunnels near the front ends thereof, dampers controlling passages between the bottom of said flue and tops of each of said tunnels, a chimney surmounting and communicating with said tunnels near the rear ends thereof, a damper controlling the communication between the chimney and each tunnel, vertically-sliding doors closing the rear ends of said tunnels, a furnace having a fire-box at-- one end and an opening through the other end communicating directly with said flue, and a blower located adjacent to said opening and in alinementwith said flue said blower adapted to rotate in a plane transverse to the furnace and longitudinal with respect to the flue, substantially as described.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a drier, of a flue communicating with said drier, a furnace having a fire-box at one end and an opening through the otherend communicating directly with said flue, a blower located adjacent to said opening and in alinement with said flue and adapted to rotate in a plane transverse to the furnace and longitudinal with respect to the flue, and a second furnace adjacent to and parallel with the first furnace and communicating therewith at a point intermediate of its ends whereby said blower may deliver hot air to said flue from either of said furnaces, substantially as described.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a di'ier, of a flue communicating with said drier, a furnace having oil-burners at one end and an opening atits other end communicating with said flue, a blower interposed between said furnace and said flue, and a second furnace adapted to consume coal communicating with said first furnace between its ends whereby said blower may deliver hot air to said flue from either of said furnaces, substantially as described.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a drier, of a flue communicating with said drier, a furnace having an opening communicating with said flue, a blower located outside of said furnace and adjacent to said opening and adapted to draw hot air from said furnace and force the same into said flue, a shaft supporting at one end said blower and being supported by bearings located on the opposite side ofsaid blower from said furnace, substantially as described.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a main furnace, auxiliary furnaces adjacent to and on either side of said main furnace and communicating therewith at points intermediate of the ends of said auxiliary furnaces, flues connected to each of said auxiliary furnaces, blowers located between said flues and said auxiliary furnaces, and driers connected to said flues whereby said blowers may deliver hot air to said driers from said main furnace or said auxiliary furnaces,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN W. AREGOOD.

Witnesses:

FRANK J OBIN, Nurs J OHNSEN. 

